Cuba Culture News

U.S. Women Basketball Team Completes Sweep in Cuba

USA’s Leslie L. (number 9), left, battles for the ball with Cuba’s Boulet Y.(number 10) during a friendly women’s basketball game between the United States and Cuba on Thursday February 26, 2004 in Havana, Cuba. USA won 82-48. (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera)

HAVANA - Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson each scored 14 points and the United States beat the Cuban national team 82-48 Thursday night for a three-game sweep.

Tamika Catchings made a 3-point shot and three free throws during a 10-2 run that put the Americans ahead 40-25 at halftime.

Thompson’s 3 started a 20-2 burst that made it 64-32 after three quarters.
Shannon Johnson and Catchings each had 10 points. Sheryl Swopes had eight points and five assists.

“We were supposed to be the dominant team and I thought we were,” said coach Van Chancellor of the WNBA’s Houston Comets. “The major difference between these two basketball teams is that were very experienced and they’re very young.”

The U.S. team will now take two weeks off, then play in Europe from March 18-28 as it continues to prepare for the Athens Olympics.